Hot and Humid

The weather last month was better. It's now hotter and more humid, so gardening has been difficult. 

Our cats have also been hiding a lot. Good thing I put some space between pots, that's where they hide to cool off.

My body feels like it's fried... Zzzz

#BeKind #StaySafe

Brain Fry

We stepped out this morning for some errands. Boy, it was HOT! I brought my neck fan to help cool me down while going around.

We first went to a garden nursery to get some supplies. The area where plants were displayed felt cool. They had just watered the plants, so I guess that helped cool down the temperature. The net overhead also kept the sun's harsh rays out. Maybe we should do that for our whole house?

After leaving the garden nursery, we got some breakfast and then went to a hardware to buy some items for our home. Good thing the depot had airconditioning so it was bearable. The last time I went to one I melted! Luckily, we decided to go another way and missed the heavy traffic due to a fire. Soon enough we were home.

I'll probably hibernate until the rainy season comes.

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Calm Before the Storm

To prepare for the coming typhoon, we focused on cutting tall branches and reinforcing plants that can be toppled over by the wind.

I'm just praying that the newly planted trees would stay put. It's just been two weeks since Mang Henry landscaped our front lawn, so hopefully the roots have stabilized a bit already.

To be honest, we're all feeling anxious at home. We've weathered a lot of storms, but I cannot help but remember the time when typhoon Ondoy hit. I don't want to experience that ever again, much more so since Mom and Dad are no longer around. It's just different when your parents are still around.

Let's all pray for safety and for the storm to pass without hurting anyone. 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Sunburnt

I stepped out around five in the afternoon to water the plants. It took me longer since I had to water down the rice water Miggy prepared for me. I slathered on Off lotion, but forgot to put sunscreen on. Whoops!

By the time I went back inside, I realized my face and neck were smarting. Sunburn. Ugh. I quickly drank a lot of water and showered. My cheeks are a bit red. Not the kind of Rosy cheeks I want to have.

The cats are also feeling the hot weather. They've been lethargic and prefer to drink a lot than eat. Poor kitties. I've been moving plants so they have more areas to hide from the sun. Some of my plants are getting burnt too, so I'm moving most of them. I'm thinking whether I should install a net to provide more shade. 

Hope and pray the weather doesn't get worse. It was reported today that Los Baños reached 50'C heat index. Yikes!

#BeKind #StaySafe

It Finally Rained!

It took a few days before the forecast for rain finally came true. I've been closely monitoring the weather since it's been hot. The worst day in our area was last Wednesday when the heat index hit 47'C. Ugh. It was so bad I had a dizzy spell even though I'm well hydrated. 

For a few days the forecast showed it would rain. It would start at 11 am then move to 3pm to 4pm to 5pm and well into the night. It was paasa. We've been diligently watering the plants to make sure they don't die. Good thing majority of our plants can survive without much watering so I focus on my potted plants and the veggies. Rain water provides plants with some vitamins too, so they need it badly. 

Went downstairs last night to water my potted plants. It was drizzling. Soon enough it started to rain harder. Just a regular summer rain shower (not thunderstorm level). It didn't last long. It was only enough to wet the leaves of the plants. Not bad, at least it rained.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Brrrain Freeze

I had our veranda door open awhile ago because the evening breeze was cool. I was enjoying it until the construction work beside our place got too noisy and well it was getting too cold for comfort. I'm heading up to Baguio on Friday and with temperatures at 12'C I'm going to be in trouble.

Back in 2012 I had the chance to visit Zurich and a cold snap happened at the same time. From 0'C when I arrived the temperature dropped to -12'C by the time I left. It was so cold I had to take a taxi to the office even though it was just a short 10 minute walk. The taxi drivers actually got mad at me, but I told them that I come from a tropical country and my body's not used to such cold weather. My doctor also forbade me from participating in a planned ski trip. He said that I would've been more prone to getting a virus at very cold weather. I monitored the news back then and it was reported that over 200 people died in Europe because of the cold snap.

I watched in the news today that the US is experiencing the polar vortex and the coldest temperature recorded was -37'C. Brrrrr! -12'C was bad enough, I think I would instantly freeze at that temperature. I remember when I was a kid I used to ask my Mom why we it didn't snow in the Philippines. She didn't give me a scientific explanation, but said that we're in the tropics and that if it snowed here a lot of people will die because of the cold. I asked her the question several times and she always gave the same answer. I eventually agreed with her (after several years of science classes) and never wished to have snow in my country. And well I'm like my Dad, I get cold easily.

I hope and pray that my family and friends in countries affected by the polar vortex will keep warm.